People are being warned to brace themselves for freezing blizzard conditions which will see temperatures plummeting to -7C in some parts of the country during Storm Emma on Thursday.

As well as the cold conditions, gale force winds of up to 110km/hr will result in zero visibility, and forecasters have warned people to stay indoors and not venture outside into the treacherous weather.

Met Eireann has issued a Status Red alert for Leinster and Munster which is to begin today (Thursday) at 4pm and end at 12 tomorrow afternoon (Friday), with the forecaster warning that ‘blizzard-like’ conditions will develop.

They said: “There will be no let-up in the cold wintry conditions through Thursday, further snowfall and freezing temperatures in easterly winds. Some brighter periods in between the snow showers also. Temperatures will range -1 to -4 degrees.

Commuters making it to work in the snow. Beast from the East, Storm Emma, orange alerts, red alerts, pictured at Dun Laoghaire dart station ,Dublin this morning (Image: Stephen Collins/Collins)

Snow at St Stephens Green which is closed due to the adverse weather conditions in Dublin's City Centre. (Image: Gareth Chaney Collins)

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And Met Eireann said Friday will be no different: “The rain, sleet and snow will clear from the south of the country during the day but it may persist across more northern counties until later in the afternoon/evening.

“It will be another cold day with highest temperatures around 1 or 2 degrees but there will be a slight rise in temperatures to around 4 to 6 degrees for southern counties. East to northeast winds will be strong and gusty. Widespread frost on Friday night.”

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Meanwhile, a homeless charity is offering a couple of hundred free beds to those living on the streets over the next few days as Storm Emma takes hold.

Depaul has put provisions in place to keep more than 200 emergency one night only beds open 24 hours a day during the severe weather forecast for this week.

Bru Aimsir, Little Britain Street, Mount Brown and Blessington Street, which are normally only partial access, will remain open 24 hours until Sunday, March 4.

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Depaul management and staff have agreed to work additional shifts and have made provisions to extend its opening hours and have put in place emergency plans ahead of the extreme weather warning so that as many people as possible can be kept inside and out of the dangerous weather conditions.

Depaul CEO, Kerry Anthony, said it’s a necessary move in order to insure the safety and wellbeing of those living rough during the severe conditions which could see temperatures in some areas drop to -10.

She said: “The stark homeless figures of 9,104 men, women and children announced by the Department for Housing on Tuesday are all the more worrying at times of dangerous weather conditions like the country is experiencing this week.

“Homeless adults that rely on emergency hostels are particularly vulnerable during severe weather, and there are now 329 more homeless adults than there were in December, 207 of which are in Dublin.

“Being out in such weather genuinely puts their health and wellbeing at risk. To be without a secure home during such conditions can be frightening and really brings to reality the danger of being homeless.”

Met Eireann forecaster Evelyn Cusack speaking to media following a meeting of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) at National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) offices,Dublin. (Image: Gareth Chaney Collins)

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Ms Anthony added: Depaul staff have been great to pull together and put in extra time and energy to ensure that homeless people are not left out in sub-zero conditions, I want to thank them for their extra efforts to keep the most vulnerable in Dublin safely indoors.”

Meanwhile, another homeless charity, the Peter McVerry Trust, accommodated 81 people at a South Inner City Sport Center on Tuesday night.

The Trust along with Focus Ireland Housing First Street Intake Team said they came across three people who were sleeping rough in Dublin City Centre who accepted support but turned down offers of accommodation.

The Kildare County Council and Peter McVerry Trust free phone number received 14 calls on Tuesday with one person needing advice and information and 13 people being accommodated within their services.

A safety organisation is also reminding people to be extra vigilant during Storm Emma and have given some helpful advice to home owners on what to keep an eye on during the bad weather.

A dog standing in the snow. The Beast from the East, Storm Emma, orange alerts, red alerts, pictured at Seapoint,Dublin this morning (Image: Stephen Collins/Collins)

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While keeping the family warm is a priority PhoneWatch is reminding everyone to not take unnecessary risks when heating your home and lighting fires.

The company, Ireland’s largest provider of monitored fire and carbon monoxide alarms, issued a series of tips to keep everyone warm and safe.

Among the advice for householders is to check your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms, to use portable heaters responsibly and to make sure you have a sturdy fire guard to avoid sparks.

PhoneWatch are also warning people to never block room vents or flues as in colder weather it can be tempting to block them up to prevent drafts.

It’s not just home owners who are being offered advice in the cold weather with farmers being warned of the dangers to avoid during the storm.

An agricultural chief is warning farmers to not take any unnecessary risks when trying to rehouse and deal with livestock caught out in the snow.

Irish Farmers Association (IFA) President Joe Healy has described farming conditions since the first fall of snow on Tuesday as “difficult and challenging.”

Mr Healy said: “This is already a busy time of the year on most farms. However, the deteriorating weather, freezing ground conditions and continuing snowfall are now adding increased hardship and work on many farms, particularly in midland and eastern counties.

Playing in the snow: Beast from the East, Storm Emma, orange alerts, red alerts. Children out enjoying the snow at the Forty Foot Sandycove, County Dublin this morning (Image: Stephen Collins/Collins)

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“Over the next number of days, farm families will continue to face extreme challenges for themselves and their livestock.

“It is absolutely essential that farmers think of their own safety and the safety of their families and their neighbours at this time.”

He continued: “Animals need to be well nourished in the cold weather and the possibility of getting them out to grass, given the current weather conditions, is now very much on hold, which will have an impact on already tight fodder supplies.”

He said that dairy farmers are struggling to keep water supplies flowing in milking parlours, while those involved in calving and lambing are having to draw in fresh water supplies from other sources.